Step Two - Fusing the Rings

Step Two - Fusing the Rings
For this step you will need:
Torch, fire brick, heat resistant surface, cup or bowl of water, tweezers, closed fine silver rings.

After the rings have been inspected and made sure the butt-ends are truly flush, it is time to fuse.

TIP - Please, if you have never used a torch (or if you'd like a friendly reminder)...make sure all flammable materials are away from your work surface. Make sure your fire brick is on a heat resistant surface, and tweezers and water bowl are within reach. Make sure long hair is secured and sleeves are rolled-up (preferable above the elbow). Use ample ventilation.

Close the rings and make sure the ends are touching. TIP - Hold the ring up to the light to be sure the ring is closed properly. If you see light peeking through, try to close the gap.

Line up your closed rings on the fire brick. I find it helpful to have all the seams or joins facing the same direction.

Light the torch and begin heating the rings in a circle pattern. The hottest part of the flame is about 1/8" to 1/4" in front of the blue cone. Focus this part of the flame on the ring. I have found between 8 and 12 passes around the ring will fuse it. If it's taking longer, your flame might not be hot enough (turn up the flame) or you could be circling the ring too slowly and allowing the ring to cool as you circle. The ring will turn from silver to a dull pink to a bright orange. Once you see it turn bright orange....get ready! The ring will 'flash' just as the silver becomes molten (to me it reminds me of liquid mercury). Remove the flame as soon as you see the ring fuse (or you will end up with a molten blob of silver!). TIP - Be patient. If you are new to torch-work, it may take a little practice. However, once you 'get it' you'll be addicted!

Once the ring is fused, use your tweezers to pick up the ring and dip it in your bowl of water to cool it off (quench it). Caution...just because the ring appears to be cool, it retains heat for a few minutes (as does the fire brick).

Yea! You've fused your first ring. Repeat the steps above until you have made about a dozen rings.